"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. - 1st Chronicles 16:34"

The Vallarta Yacht Club (VYC) invites everyone to its traditional autumn event to raise funds for the Juvenile Sail Program. The theme is a Cuban Party that will take place on Saturday November 23 beginning at 6:00pm, when the first day of boat races concludes within the framework of The Regatta of The Revolution.

It is a fund collection event, two are carried out per year and what is collected goes to the Juvenile Sail Program of VYC. This event offers incredible prizes in a raffle and auction, donated by generous companies of the community.

It is a very good opportunity to have fun with friends at the rhythm of the music, of delicious drinks and dinner, while they win fantastic prizes and support the future sailors.

The Office of Visitors and Conventions of Riviera Nayarit (OVC) collaborates to spread the causes that promote the destination as a place that drives youth to practice sports.

“The juvenile sport is one of the best tools to create a healthy society, thank you very much for helping us to attain this for Banderas Bay”, he thanked the representative of public relations of the VYC, Ibis of Teresa.

The Program of Juvenile Sail has a scholarship program that is the biggest seedbed of Mexico for national sail. From here sailors constantly arise for the national team.

This program helps the children that have a good grade point average, a good behavior and an economic need to fulfill their dream to sail and be sail professionals.

“The benefit is for the Nayaritan children. The purpose is to teach children to sail and have the sail sport as an option of development of life skills, because sail is more than sailing”, he added.

A fundamental part are the donations of the Nayaritan companies and it is also a good advertising forum. The invitation is open to the media so that they send their printed publications and VYC will put them in between the assistants of the event.

The Program of Juvenile Sail of the VYC is of the few of its class inside the country, since it does not require the young participants to provide their own navigation equipment. The donations and the profits from this event make it so that sport sailing becomes accessible for many.

[readon1 url="http://notivallarta.com/2013/11/21/fiesta-cubana-y-la-regata-de-la-revolucion/"]Source: Vallarta Opina Translated by Rene Tripp[/readon1]

The UTBB inaugurated a new Enology Lab during this international event, which brought together bartenders and mixologists from Mexico and Spain.

The Universidad Tecnológica de Bahía de Banderas (UTBB) is celebrating its first-ever international event for mixologists, Coctel-Arte 2013, in its facilities at the Riviera Nayarit.
This event promotes mixologists, bartenders and cocktailing across the board; its mission is to publicize the ephemeral art of the cocktail through responsible training, innovation, creativity and—last but not least—fun.

“I’m eternally grateful to the UTBB for allowing us to hold this event on its grounds; I’m just as grateful to the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Banderas Bay Hotel and Motel Association,” said Lupita Cruz, the Managing Director of Coctel-Arte.

Among the internationally renowned Mexican mixologists that will be present at the event are Israel Díaz Pelayo, the ambassador mixologist from the Riviera Nayarit, and Antonio Barroeta from the Academia Mexicana de Mixología.

There will be a total of 18 mixologists attending, among then one of the top mixologists in the world, Javier Caballero from Spain, who will finalize the talks and workshops.
“There is a lot of talent in the region,” added Cruz, “so we decided to open in the Riviera Nayarit because it’s the birthplace of and the doorway to our culinary world, which is closely tied to mixology. We’re taking this to an international level.”

The date is set for Saturday, November 30, 2013, beginning at 4 p.m. through 10 p.m. This event is the perfect excuse to inaugurate the UTBB’s new Enology Laboratory, which is part of the Gastronomy department and represents an investment of $450 thousand pesos.

“It’s very important for us to be innovators with activities that others aren’t daring to do,” said UTTB president José Gómez. “If you never take that first step nothing will ever happen, but when you do and do it responsibly, you’ll be successful.”

The Enology Lab will benefit the 600 Gastronomy students, helping learn the main trends and techniques necessary for their development.

A very important part of the event will be the “Music Made Cocktail” presentation by the finalists of the “DJ Vallartenses” youth contest, under the guidance of Jorge Alberto Vieyra García.

If you’d like to participate in this fabulous event, please visit www.coctelarte.com to register with the early bird fee of $200 pesos; unregistered participants and those paying on the day of the event will be charged $250 pesos; UTBB students pay only $100 pesos.

Journalist Mélissa Vailancourt recently published an article in www.journaldemontreal.com, Canada’s most important newspaper, where she waxed eloquent on the many wonders of the town of Sayulita.

On November 6, 2013, journalist Mélissa Vailancourt published an article on Sayulita titled “Le Mexique Autrement: Plage & soleil loin du tout inclus” (Another Mexico: Fun in the Sun Far Away From the All-Inclusives.)

In it, she describes Sayulita as a town that is both serene and vivacious, surrounded by the mountains of the Sierra Madre on the coast of the Mexican Pacific, and a fishing village with a beach perfect for swimming and surfing.

She recommends it as a space apart, far from the all-inclusives. She encourages readers to mix with the locals, walk through the village streets and, of course, sample the fish tacos, the seafood, the pizzas, the cocktails, the ice cream and the bars—all of which come highly recommended by the journalist.

Part of the constant promotional efforts undertaken by the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is making sure visitors are aware of the many possibilities offered by Mexico’s Pacific Treasure.

“It’s great when our visitors enjoy the many wonders of the Riviera Nayarit and have the opportunity to indulge in the different experiences offered by each village, as well as the marvelous accommodations available in this destination,” said Marc Murphy, Managing Director of the Riviera Nayarit CVB.

“It’s a fusion of hippie with boho and surfing,” said French entrepreneur Nicolas Kerveven, who lives in Sayulita, where he has his shop, Revolución del Sueño (www.revoluciondelsueno.com). “People come from all over and add their own vision. It’s this mix that makes it unique.”

Nicolas travels throughout Mexico every month and has been living in Sayulita for the past seven years—he says he’s never seen anything like it.

“Sayulita is very different from anything you might encounter elsewhere,” he said. “This place is a mix of tourism and village. It has a unique quality; I know of no other place in Mexico with this ambiance.”

“Le Journal de Montréal” is the French-language portal for Quebec’s Journal de Montréal newspaper, founded in 1964 and considered Canada’s top publication. Click here to read the original article: http://www.journaldemontreal.com/2013/11/06/plage--soleil-loin-du-tout-inclus

Vallarta Yacht Club is helping lower income kids with good grades and excellent conduct enjoy the gift of sailing. The Club—together with local businesses and other supporters—looks to create better citizens and athletes in Nayarit.

The Vallarta Yacht Club (VYC) is extending an invitation to its fall fundraiser for the Youth Sailing Program. This year’s theme is a Cuban Festival and the event will take place on Saturday, November 23rd, starting at 6 p.m. as the first day of the Revolution Regatta comes to a close.

This fundraiser happens twice a year, with the money going towards the VYC Youth Sailing Program. This event also includes amazing prizes for a raffle and an auction, generously donated by local businesses.

It’s a wonderful opportunity to have a great time with friends, dance to the rhythm of the music and enjoy delicious food and drink, not to mention the chance to win fabulous prizes and help support future sailors, as well!

The Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) very much supports causes that promote the destination as a place that helps youngsters become athletes.

“Youth sports is one of the best tools for the creation of a healthy society,” said Ibis de Teresa, public relations representative for the VYC. “Thank you so much for helping us do this in Banderas Bay.”

The Youth Sailing Program includes scholarships that make it the largest source of future sailors in all of Mexico. Many of the nation’s top seeds in sailing originate from this institution.

The program helps lower income kids with good grades and good behavior to make their sailing dreams come true and become professionals in the sport.

“This greatly benefits the children of Nayarit,” added de Teresa. “The purpose is to teach these children to sail and give them the option to use this sport to develop their life skills, because sailing is much more than simply being on the water.”

The donations given by Nayarit’s businesses are fundamental to the program, not to mention the publicity it garners them. The media also has an open invitation to send in their printed publications for the VYC to distribute among the attendees.

The VYC Youth Sailing Program is one of a few such programs in the country, as it does not require the students to provide their own sailing equipment. The donations and the money raised make the sport of sailing accessible for many.

For more information please call (322) 297 22 22 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and direct your inquiry to Rudy Trejo, VYC’s manager.

Click here to watch a video about the program: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQz8tLjpiuc

More than 30 contingents participated this Wednesday in the civic-sportive-military parade, with which the 103 Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution was commemorated, and it was witnessed by the municipal president, Ramón Guerrero Martínez, the president of the DIF System, Magaly Fregoso Ortiz, councilors, naval and military authorities, in addition to civil servants of the city council and citizenship in general.

At 10 o clock in the morning, the march of the column headed by the officers of the Preventive Police initiated through the operative areas, tourist, traffic and the team of fast response, which surprised all of those present with an exercise of rappel. Also, each group showed a sample of the work that they carry out every day for the security of the municipality.

Likewise, for the first time the motorized group ‘Lince' presented itself, and showed a series of high level acrobatics, taking the applause of the citizens. Also there was the participation of the officers of Civil Protection and Firefighters, that with the support of stairs and a firetruck, formed with precision a figure in the shape of a ‘fan' that also got the recognition of the public.

The parade continued with the participation of the Municipal Council of Sports, which showed a sample of the different sportive schools that the agency has like swimming, soccer, karate, gymnastics, among others, to later give way to the young adults of the “Day House”, of the System for the Integral Development of the family, that transmitted their joy and enthusiasm to the authorities.

The presence of the Eighth Naval Zone also stood out, which with rappel exercises and personal defense, as well as with the presence of the canine–human binomials and of the Research and Rescue Unit, took a big ovation from the Vallartan families.

The different educational institutions of elementary level, jr. high, high school and university, were also an important part of this parade, in which accompanied by music allusive to the revolution, they showed a series of acrobatic figures and rhythmical tables. In the same way the different civil, sportive and Charro associations, infused with tradition this revolutionary party.

[readon1 url="http://notivallarta.com/2013/11/20/disfrutan-vallartenses-del-desfile-revolucionario/"]Source: Vallarta Opina Translated by Rene Tripp[/readon1]

“Dolphin Discovery” celebrates its 19th anniversary, the group of dolphin aquariums with the biggest interactive program of the world, presents its novelties in Aquaventuras Park and the 12 centers that it has in the country.

In this regard, Mario Domíguez, general manager of the group in Riviera Nayarit pointed out that to celebrate this event, the 13 locations which the present group has, will carry out different activities and promotions, this with the purpose to celebrate with its visitors “another year of fulfilled dreams”.

For which in this occasion “Aquaventuras Park by Dolphin Discovery” will not be the exception and it announced before the local media the results of the successful reproduction program under designated human care “Miracle”.

In this sense, he clarified that as a result of this program, the birth of 82 marine mammals of first and second generation has been attained, this is 66 dolphins, 12 marine wolves and 4 manatees.

“Thanks to this, the opening of 4 dolphin aquariums was made: Miracle, Dolphin Cozumel, Dolphin Dreams, Dolphin Palace and Dolphin Playa del Carmen, this in between 2012 and 2013, and this means that they exclusively lodge dolphins that have been born inside this program.

In this meeting, Aquaventuras Park shared the origin, growth and pride to belong to the Dolphin Discovery group, since all the dolphin aquariums that it operates fulfill the norms and international certifications, surpassing the quality standards both in installations and in animal care and training techniques.

“The certifications like the one of AMMPA (Alliance of Marine Mammals Parks and Aquariums), having the ability to swim with the dolphins and the interaction with marine wolves in an aquatic park, the offer of slides and pools, as well as the location of the park very near of world class tourist destinations, like Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit, are some of the characteristics that make us different”, he concluded.

[readon1 url="http://notivallarta.com/2013/11/20/dolphyn-discovery-celebra-su-19-de-aniversario/"]Source: notivallarta.com Translated by Rene Tripp[/readon1]

The winner, Avril Mathie, who hailed from Perth in Western Australia, said she loved the food in the Riviera Nayarit, which she described as “healthy,” and was very enthusiastic about the nature tours.

The Swimsuit USA International 2013 at the Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta in Mexico’s Pacific Treasure was a resounding success, and the 67 ladies who stayed there during the contest thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The final competition took pace on November 16th.

Australian Avril Mathie took first prize thanks to her winning combination of brains and beauty. She was thrilled with the win, and when asked about the destination she said the food and the adventure tours were here favorite parts and assured everyone she would be back.

“I’m ecstatic about winning the Swimsuit USA International and I love the Riviera Nayarit,” enthused Avril, whose name is now being mentioned around the world. “I’d never been to Mexico and I’m so glad I came. I have to come back! The healthy food options were amazing—it was great to have the ‘all you can eat’ at the buffet.”

Manuel Rubio, sales director for the Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta, said although the women were undeniably beautiful, they also proved to the world that you can be successful in life not just for your looks, as they were also students, athletes and supporters of social causes.

“We’re celebrating health and wellness, even though the event originally started out as a bikini competition,” said Rubio. “Basically we’re promoting healthy living.”

The Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) sponsored the event and offered their support both before, during and after the contest.

“The support of the Riviera Nayarit CB is always present in all of the events we do, whether they’re tied to sports, music or martial arts,” said Rubio. “We can rely on them because we’re promoting the destination around the world.”

The CVB’s main task is to ensure the destination is top of mind for everyone. “By allowing us to use their contacts we can spread the word on both the Riviera Nayarit and the Hard Rock brands,” he added. “Our brand has been around since 1971, it’s very well recognized, but by working with the CVB we’ve been able to access audiences the Hard Rock music would have been hard pressed to reach.”

The activities the ladies, their followers and family members enjoyed during their stay generated revenue for the destination. Each one also had her own social media fans, which greatly expanded the reach of the Riviera Nayarit.

“With this event we reached as far as Colombia, Cuba, Northern Ireland, England, etc.,” said Manuel Rubio. “The world is getting to know the Riviera Nayarit through these girls.”

BIBLIOTECA LOS MANGOS (Library)

Colors on Canvas PV’s second collective art exhibition at Biblioteca Los Mangos (Los Mangos Library), Avenida Francisco Villa 1001, Puerto Vallarta is fast approaching. Over the three days we hope everyone will find a time that works to come and see our work. The exhibition will hang:

Friday, Nov. 29, 6 - 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, 2 – 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1, 1 – 4 p.m.

Our Library serves some 6,000 users each month, has over 25,000 Spanish books, 5,000 English books, internet service and a variety of workshops. AND without government funding! The Library is always in need of donations and we are very happy to be able to help. Many of the users are students who do not have access to the books and internet so vital to their studies.

Colors on Canvas PV members will donate 20% of proceeds from all sales to the Library. There will be 50/50 raffles each day and refreshments will be sold, all proceeds will go to the library.

You can help and support the library doubly on Fri. Nov. 29th. First come to the exhibition to see and purchase affordable pieces of original art. Then head over to Teatro Vallarta for a one night only performance by the University of Guadalajara Ballet Folklorico to benefit Biblioteca Los Mangos. (Call the Library at 224 9966 for Ballet Folklorico ticket information.)

Credit cards accepted.
Like us on Facebook: Colors on Canvas PV
On the web: www.colorsoncanvaspv.weebly.com

Wednesday, November 20

XIX Festival Gourmet 
Kitty Bingo — 5 pm at Margarita Grill (the corner of Basilio Badillo and Piño Suarez in Old Town). Benefit bingo for the PuRR Project, a home for homeless and abused cats. Ryan Rigazzi will entertain at half time.
Centro Vallarta Art Walk — 6 to 10 pm, visit 10 of Vallarta’s finest galleries in a casual evening of cocktails and art. Meet the artists. Free.


Thursday, November 21

XIX Festival Gourmet
Vallarta Scene Expat Meetup — 5 pm to 8 pm at Casa Isabel, on a hill overlooking Old Town. A lively *extended* informal happy hour get-together for expats, visitors and nationals. Everyone is invited.
Concert — Municipal Band, 7 pm, Presidencia Square, FREE

Friday, November 22

XIX Festival Gourmet
Battle of the Bands — 7 pm at Los Arcos amphitheater. Eliminations of local bands. Sponsored by the Instituto Vallartense de Cultura. Free.

Saturday, November 23

XIX Festival Gourmet
Saturday Farmers Market — At the Paradise Community Center on Pulpito in Old Town. 9 to 1 pm. Year-round (this is the “alternative market”).
Vallarta Tourist Farmer Market — 9:30 am to 2 pm at the L. Cardenas Park (This is the “official city-sponsored market”).
Dogs & CatsDOGS  — SPCA Pet Adoptions, Los Mangos Library, 10 am to 2 pm.
PV Writers Group — PV Writers Group Meeting at the Boutique Theater, corner of Basilio Badillo and Naranjo, at 10:30 am.
Fussion2013 — 7 pm at the Cuale Cultural Center. Benefit for the Banderas Bay Women’s Shelter. Music by Jorge Acosta, Daniel Portela, Chris Kenny and Mariachis. Food from La Palapa, Vista Grill, River Café, Nu Tapas, Andale, Anonimo, Gaby’s Restaurant, Langostinos, Daquiri Dicks, Los Chatos and Suspiros, Dancing, drinks, fashions from Liverpool and Diamonds International and lots of fun. 350 pesos. Ticket info at 322 222 9960 or 322 103 2451. If you go to only one benefit event this year, this one is the best.

Sunday, November 24

Via RecreactivaVIA  — 8 am to 2 pm. From the Sports Stadium to the Holiday Inn, Fco. Medina Ascencio (the main airport road) will be closed to traffic for a public walk, bicycle, run. Traffic will be diverted to the laterals.
Mercado Huanacaxtle — 9 am to 2 pm in the La Cruz Marina.
Suncet Miloga— 4:30 to 8 pm at the Hotel Rosita, at the top of the Malecon. Free tango lessons from 4:30 to 5:30 and then tango dancing until 8. Food and drink available for purchase.
Concert — Municipal Band, beginning at 6 pm, Presidencia Square, FREE
Public Dance — the Sunday Evening Dance, 7 pm, traditional dancing to live music in the Presidencia Square, FREE
The Malecon — When the sun goes down, the Malecón comes alive. Come out and stroll the Malecon. It’s a Sunday tradition here.

With the participation of the City council of Puerto Vallarta, through the Commissariat of Preventive Police, Traffic Police, Firefighters, Civil Protection and the Municipal Council of Sport Promotion and Support to the Youth, as well as of the military and naval zones, and schools of the different levels, this Wednesday starting at 10 in the morning, the traditional civic parade will be carried out – sportive event celebrating the 103rd anniversary of the beginning of the Mexican Revolution, in the center of the city.

This year the parade will be new, since it will have, for example, the presentation of the motorcycle group of the Commissariat of the Preventive Police, the first grouping of its type in the country, that will show a series of acrobatic exercises that were prepared especially for this occasion and which will amaze the assistants.

Likewise, there will be an exhibition of the officers of the preventive police, tourist, traffic and the immediate reaction group, who will make known to the citizens the work that they carry out in the municipality. There will also be simulations from the Firefighters and Civil Protection.

It is noteworthy that in this parade, the security and rescue teams of the municipality will only have a representative participation, as the priority, is to take care of the security of the assistants and maintain a presence in the different colonies of the city.

There will be road closures due to the traditional parade

For this November 20, there will be some modifications and circulation interruptions in the center of the zone in an operative that will start at 8 in the morning. It is this way that the public transport units that go from north to south, will go up to Panama street and will return by the street of Colombia, again towards the different colonies of the city; whereas the personal cars, will be able to enter until Corona street, take Juárez that will be enabled in two directions, until getting to Agustín Rodríguez and Insurgentes.

In the case of the transport that goes through the freeway tunnel, the units will arrive until the Aguacate street and will return by Basilio Badillo, to return to the bypass.

[readon1 url="http://www.noticiaspv.com/habra-cierre-de-vialidades-por-el-desfile-revolucionario/"]Source: Vallarta Opina Translated by Rene Tripp[/readon1]

Mexico may have taken the long road, but the CONCACAF nation has officially qualified for the World Cup.

After a qualifying campaign that could only be described as disastrous, Mexico earned a spot in next summer's World Cup after holding off New Zealand in a 4-2 decision Wednesday in Wellington, just five days after cruising to a 5-1 victory over the Oceania champion in the first leg of the playoff in Mexico City.

Oribe Paralta, the hero in the first leg with a brace, continued his hot streak with a first-half hat trick to help Mexico avoid what would have been by far the worst loss in history for El Tri, which sneaked into the playoffs at the final minute of the final CONCACAF matchday thanks to the rival United States.

Despite once being regarded as the region's strongest side, Mexico ended the Hexagonal with a 2-5-3 record. With one game left to play in the Hex, El Tri lost to Costa Rica on the road but the U.S. scored late in its match against Panama to eliminate La Marea Roja and allow Mexico through.

If Mexico had failed to qualify, it was widely reported that the nation and federation would have lost around $1 billion in sponsorship deals. Going through four coaches in two months, the federation chose Club America manager Miguel Herrera to save the team, and he didn't disappoint.

Despite playing with an all domestic-based roster, Herrera will no longer be questioned for leaving star players Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez and Giovani dos Santos in Europe for the New Zealand matches, especially after his Club America players stole the show in the playoffs.

There were 10 Club America players on Mexico's roster but no one stood out quite like Santos Laguna man Peralta, who has scored 11 goals in his last eight national team games.

Playing with the same starting lineup from the first game, Herrera's men attacked from the start, testing goalkeeper Glen Moss early and often. It took Peralta only 14 minutes to pick up his first goal of the match, 29 before his second and 33 before completing the hat trick.

In the opening minutes, Moss played a ball that was sent to the six-yard box by Carlos Pena and Peralta chipped it over the keeper. Later in the half, the forward fired in crosses from Miguel Layun and Pena.

Despite having their World Cup berth all but sealed, the Mexicans continued to put the pressure on a New Zealand side that lacked any sort of offensive attack until the very end. In the two games, the All Whites managed only three goals - two coming from midfielder Christian James and one from Rory Fallon.

New Zealand's Jeremy Brockie had a penalty kick saved in the first half, but James was money when given the opportunity to break the shutout in the 80th minute. In the 83rd, Fallon gave the home side more to cheer about when he got behind Mexico's defenders to beat keeper Moises Munoz.

At this point, the All Whites were playing for pride, but Pena made sure that Mexico wouldn't go home with a draw by capitalzing on a counterattack to score the night's final goal.

New Zealand is currently ranked 79th by FIFA, 55 places behind El Tri. While many questioned if the Mexicans could even get by the All Whites, they exploded for an 3-1 aggregate win and will look to ride that momentum into their next international matchday scheduled for March.

[readon1 url="http://http//www.sportingnews.com/soccer/story/2013-11-19/mexico-world-cup-qualification-brazil-2014-news-new-zealand"]Source: sportingnews.com[/readon1]